Alpha, My Adonis Head Wood Memorial Probables
Two contenders for next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack took to the road today, with Grade 3 Withers winner Alpha jetting to New York from Florida and Grade 3 Gotham runner-up My Adonis traveling from Belmont Park to the Big A for a bullet half-mile breeze.
Alpha boarded a Tex Sutton flight to Farmingdale, Long Island, following his final serious Wood work at Palm Meadows, where he went a half-mile in 49.17.
“He breezed great, galloped out in 1:02 3/5,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin of Alpha, who will likely face at least six others in the 1 1/8-mile Wood. “It was just what we were looking for, and he hopped right on the plane and should arrive mid-afternoon.”
Joining Alpha on today’s worktab, albeit over Belmont Park’s training track, were two of McLaughlin’s other Godolphin color-bearers: Emcee, whom NYRA clockers timed in 1:01.46 as he prepared for the Grade 1 Carter Handicap on Wood day, and It’s Tricky, who went four furlongs in a bullet 47.63, fastest of 67 at the distance. McLaughlin said It’s Tricky would make her next start either in the Grade 2 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct on April 14 or the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 13.
My Adonis, who in his 3-year-old debut was third to Algorithms and Hansen in the Grade 3 Holy Bull, arrived at Aqueduct around 7:30 this morning after a short van ride. With jockey Cornelio Velasquez aboard, George and Lori Hall’s Pleasantly Perfect colt zipped four furlongs over the main track in 47.12, fastest of 17 at the distance.
“The horse worked great, and he came out of it great,” said trainer Kelly Breen by telephone from Florida. “He’ll tell us his story in the Wood. If he jumps up and runs a big race, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Along with Alpha and My Adonis, others targeting the Wood include Casual Trick, most recently seventh in Gulfstream’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth; the undefeated Gemologist, seven-length allowance winner at Gulfstream on March 16; Street Life, who has won his two most recent starts, including the Broad Brush at Aqueduct on March 17; The Lumber Guy, 2-for-2 including the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park on February 25, and Tiger Walk, third in the Withers and fourth in the Gotham in his two most recent starts. Possible starters, according to NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes, are Brimstone Island, Cozzetti, Prospective and Teeth of the Dog.